The scandal of the selling relief items by Minister Mary Gorrette Kitutu’s family members has deepened as Karamoja leaders have demanded for her immediate resignation.
The Minister in question is in-charge of Karamoja affairs. Following a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, February 13, 2023, and the arrest of the three suspects said to be the Minister’s relatives, the leaders of Karamoja have asked the Minister to step down because it is a total shame for items to be diverted under her nose.
“I am so pained and disgusted by the theft of items meant for Karamoja. This is what happens when you put people, callous, and selfish to deliver the mandate of the government. She needs to resign,” said Ramigio Achia, the Chairperson of Karamoja Parliamentary group.
The Woman Member of Parliament for Napak district through her twitter handle condemned the act of the Minister starting to be defensive than admitting her fault.
“Hon. Minister, I have watched your explanation on National TV, it is not adding up, it is so offensive to the people you have defrauded, it doesn’t say why you diverted the iron sheets,” she twitted.
Peter Ken Lochap, the Member of Parliament for Bokora East also commented “the biggest obstacle to liberating Karamoja from poverty is not the regional members of parliament but wrong ministers appointed to manage the affairs of Karamoja.”
The suspects were arrested by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit and Police of Namisindwa together with other security operatives over the weekend and 450 iron sheets recovered.
However, the minister’s mother was later released due to her health conditions while the due is still under custody at Mayetse Police station as further investigations are still ongoing.
